Posted in | News | Solar Energy | Energy

New Atomic Layer Deposition Passivation Technology for i-PERC Silicon Solar Cells

Imec, RENA and SoLayTec are presenting a novel atomic layer deposition (ALD) passivation technology for highly efficient i-PERC silicon solar cells at the 27th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EUPVSEC).

SoLayTec InPassion LAB (PDT) tool for deposition of spatial ALD Al2O3

The large area i-PERC solar cells measure156x156 mm and have a thickness of 165 µm. They demonstrate an efficiency of19.6% through an industrial screen printing process flow without selective emitters.

The manufacturing process for the solar cell was conducted in imec’s solar cell pilot line. It employed SoLayTec’s in-line spatial ALD process development tool, called InPassion LA, for deposition of ALD-Al2O3, and RENA in-line lab equipment for emitter removal and back-side polishing process. For the best cell, using the imec’s i-PERC process flow, an open circuit voltage Voc of 665 mV with 19.6% conversion efficiency was achieved. Spatial ALD-Al2O3 was found to offer excellent passivation without being affected by front-side parasitic deposition. The high level of passivation will enable better efficiencies. Dr. Aude Rothschild, senior scientist at imec, stated that the researchers were targeting an efficiency of more than 20%.

The results of the manufacturing process were derived using the silicon solar cell industrial affiliation program from imec. This program aims to develop sophisticated process technologies that lead to higher cell efficiency and lower silicon usage, which will lead to lower cost per Watt peak.

The results of the cell reveal the strengths of RENA’s InOxSide for junction isolation and InPolish equipment for rear-side polishing.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and conditions of use of this website.

G.P. Thomas

Written by

G.P. Thomas

Gary graduated from the University of Manchester with a first-class honours degree in Geochemistry and a Masters in Earth Sciences. After working in the Australian mining industry, Gary decided to hang up his geology boots and turn his hand to writing. When he isn't developing topical and informative content, Gary can usually be found playing his beloved guitar, or watching Aston Villa FC snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    IMEC. (2019, March 01). New Atomic Layer Deposition Passivation Technology for i-PERC Silicon Solar Cells. AZoCleantech. Retrieved on October 09, 2024 from https://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=17323.

  • MLA

    IMEC. "New Atomic Layer Deposition Passivation Technology for i-PERC Silicon Solar Cells". AZoCleantech. 09 October 2024. <https://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=17323>.

  • Chicago

    IMEC. "New Atomic Layer Deposition Passivation Technology for i-PERC Silicon Solar Cells". AZoCleantech. https://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=17323. (accessed October 09, 2024).

  • Harvard

    IMEC. 2019. New Atomic Layer Deposition Passivation Technology for i-PERC Silicon Solar Cells. AZoCleantech, viewed 09 October 2024, https://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=17323.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.